Cuttings

There is something magical about taking a 5 centimeter cutting, rooting it and then developing it into a bonsai. Some might say: "A very long slow process." Not so, if you use special processes, such as, a large pot, an extensive feeding program and sacrifice branches.

Some of the advantages are:

• It is a way to obtain rare and sought after species.
• Your potential surface roots can be placed and trained from early on in the tree's life. You will have no major scars as a result of heavy pruning.
• Your cuttings will bear the same characteristics as the parent plant.
• It is an inexpensive way of adding to your collection.

TIME TO TAKE CUTTINGS

Deciduous:  July to December

Evergreen:  August to May

POSITION

Dappled shade protected from wind.

MATERIAL

Take cuttings of 5 to 10 cm long, trimmed from parent plant with sharp secateurs. Place each one directly into Dynaroot solution and then plant them into containers of vermiculite or perlite.

CARE

• Daily watering.
• SUPERthrive should be applied twice a week.
• After a month cuttings may be watered with SUPERthrive added to Hortisol or Seagro.

PROBLEMS

Damping-off should not occur if:

1. You have sufficient air circulation. You do not over-water.
2. Your growing medium drains well. Orion can be used if there is a fungal problem.

Using the above simple method I have propagated, just to mention a few, the following species:

• Cedrus atlantica
• Hinoki cypress
• Japanese black pine
• Diospyros whyteana
• Cotoneaster
• Junipers of many types
• Coleonema

Give cuttings a try! It is very creative and rewarding!